Man sought after complicated chase

Authorities are seeking a local man suspected of being part of a two-vehicle pursuit Friday after an attempted burglary was broken up.

Sheriff’s Deputy Thomas Burke responded to a report of suspicious vehicles parked at a house owned by the California Department of Fish and Game on the 3300 block of Lake Earl Drive on Friday afternoon when he encountered two vehicles, a truck and car, in the driveway, sheriff’s Commander Tim Athey said.

“It appears a burglary was interrupted,” said Athey.

A woman, later arrested and identified as Bianca Welton, was trying to distract the deputy as a man — authorities say it was David Schumack— was trying to back the truck out of the driveway, Athey said.

“Thomas walks up to the truck and the driver takes off,” said Athey.

Burke hurried back to his squad car and pursued the truck back toward Crescent City, and Welton got into her car and followed Burke’s vehicle, Athey said.

More officers were alerted to the pursuit and a Crescent City Police officer got in line behind Welton’s vehicle, Athey said.

“We have two pursuits going on at the same time,” said Athey.

The truck, which was pulling a 20-foot-trailer at speeds in excess of 90 mph, turned onto Blackwell Lane and then onto other residential roads before returning to Lake Earl Drive and then turning onto Boulder Avenue before veering onto a private dirt road, Athey said.

Approaching a berm, the truck slowed down, Athey said.

“He bails out of the truck while it’s still rolling,” said Athey.

The truck then smashed into the berm.

Meanwhile, Welton led her tail of officers down Lake Earl Drive, turning onto Washington Boulevard and crashing into a field bordering the north entry ramp onto U.S. Highway 101 before bailing into the brush, Athey said.

Welton, 27, was later apprehended and arrested on suspicion of evading and eluding a peace officer.

Schumack, 27, is still being sought.

He is described as 6 feet tall and weighing 185 pounds.

Authorities encourage anyone who has seen him to call the Sheriff’s Office at 464-4191.

Reach Anthony Skeens at
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it